Salvatore George Buccino

Salvatore George Buccino of Kenner passed away peacefully at his home of natural causes on May 24, 2021 at the age of 87. He was born on December 23, 1933 in New Haven, Connecticut to Nunzio Buccino and Giuseppina LaValle Buccino, first-generation immigrants from Italy. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Victoria. He is survived by his daughter Tracy (Joseph), his son Alexander (Jill), his grandchildren George, Margaret, and Sloane, his brother Guy Buccino, nieces Carol Head, Melissa Wyatt, and Susan Buccino, nephew Guy Buccino, Jr, and sister-in-law Elisabeth Milliken Head. Sal graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven in 1952. He went on to study physics, earning his Bachelor of Science from Yale University in 1956 and his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1963. Following graduate school, he worked at Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago, Illinois. In 1966, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Tulane University, teaching and conducting research in the field of Experimental Nuclear Physics, and quickly rose through the ranks to full Professor. Sal was a beloved teacher who was appreciated for his always-open office door. He mentored countless students in his 32 years at Tulane before health issues forced his retirement in 1997. A heart transplant in 1999 allowed Sal the joy of seeing his grandchildren and spending more time with family and friends. Over the years, he enjoyed traveling, especially to Italy and Alaska, building model airplanes and railroads, gardening, woodworking, tinkering in his garage, putting his handyman skills to work, and, of course, hosting Sal and Vicki’s Annual Crawfish Party. Sal’s family would like to thank the Ochsner Heart Transplant Team, especially Debi Dumas-Hicks, RN, his primary care physician, Matthew A. McQueen, MD, and the countless other medical professionals who cared for him over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana or the charity of your choice. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to share their memories at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 on Friday, May 28, 2021 from 4 to 6pm. The family requests that masks be worn. Condolences may be expressed at www.greenwoodfh.com.

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